Improvement in wheels for vehicles



J. CURTIS.

Wheels for Vehiblgs. N0'.153,426. Patentedldly 28,1874.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN CURTIS, CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN WHEELS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,426, dated July 28,1874; application filed June 25, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN CURTIS, of Oincinnati, Hamilton county, Stateof Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Carriage- Wheels, ofwhich the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of wheels in whichstrengthening;-bands have been inserted in grooves in the hub near thespokes to prevent the hub from splitting; and consists in forming aboutthe hub a groove of peculiar shape, into which an iron band is shrunk,the band being then keyed on by running melted metal into the groove infront of the hub.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a wheel-hubhaving on one end my band in its finished condition, and on the othershowing the groove for the receptionof the band, and a section of theband as it appearsif applied to the hub before being heated forexpansion. Fig. 2 represents a part of a cross-section of a hub with themetal band applied and in position to receive the melted metal which isto form the key. Fig. 3 is a similar section after the key has beenapplied and has hardened. Fig. 4 is a section of a band which I preferto use, showing the peculiar bevel of its edges.

A is a wheel-hub, which may be mortised or grooved and of any desiredformation. B is a groove in the periphery of the hub near the spokes,the outer part of the groove being deeper than the rest, as seen at b. Ois a metal band, generally of iron, of such size as, when cool, tonearly, but not quite, pass over the hub into the groove, but which,when heated and then expanded, will just pass over. This ring, havingthus been shrunk into the groove, is passed down until the beveled edgeof the ring fits closely against the bevel of the groove. The hub isthen placed on end, and composition metal, E, is turned into this groove1), as seen in Fig. 3.

This metal, as I prefer to use it, is composed of nine parts lead, twoparts antimony, and one part bismuth. It swells in cooling and wedgesthe ring home, thus securing it firmly onto the hub, so that it will beimpossible to get it off without breaking the ring. The outer edge ofthe iron ring is turned over before it is put on, and the melted metalunites with the tin and becomes attached rigidly to the ring.

The iron ring is made of the proper outside finish before it is put on,and very little work is required to bring the composition metal to therequired finish.

It is the design to have the band when completed of the same elevationas the wood on either side of it, as seen at D, Fig. 1, so that when thehub is painted it will not be observed.

Any composition metal may be used to key the ring into the hub, though Iprefer the one before described.

The groove may be made of any desired shape, though the one describedseems to me the best.

I claim- 1. The combination,in a wheel-hub, of groove B, band C, andcomposition metal E, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. On a wheel-hub, a metallic band shrunk onto the hub and held in placeby a key or wedge formed of composition metal, all combinedsubstantially as and for the purposes described.

3. A composition-metal wedge composed of lead, bismuth, and antimony,combined with a metal band upon a wooden hub, as set forth.

JOHN CURTIS.

Witnesses JOHN E. HATCH, R0131. H. PARKINSON.

